Chapter 7 Haunted
REID
“Hey.”
I lift my head from my glass of whiskey at the sound of a female voice. It’s the bartender from earlier; the one who went to get Athena. She holds that same flirtatious smile as she stands behind the counter.
“She’ll be here soon,” she says.
I give a silent nod of acknowledgment. She flashes another smile before turning away to grab a bottle from the shelf. She bends lower than necessary, arching her back like she’s presenting herself. She did the same thing when I first walked in and took the seat in front of her, her body language screaming invitation.
“Another shot while you wait?” She turns back toward me.
Her shorts are barely holding together, showing her full thighs and even a hint of ass. Her shirt isn’t any better. Most of her cleavage is on display, like she dressed with the exact goal of being ogled.
Without waiting for my answer, she leans closer and pours into my glass. The way she positions herself leaves her chest right in my line of sight. She glances up through her lashes and bites her lower lip invitingly.
But her attempt doesn’t stir a damn thing in me.
I take the glass and down a long sip, letting the burn settle in my throat. My mind is too busy thinking about someone else, to pay the bartender any mind.
Someone with quiet fire in those dangerously captivating hazel-green eyes.
Lyra.
Seeing her again after five years… I thought I’d be over it. I thought I’d moved on.
Stupid.
The moment I saw her, it dragged me back to that night at the full moon festival, before I even sensed her scent. Before I knew she was my mate.
She looks even better now. More mature. More… haunting. Her lips fuller. Her long, lush chestnut curls looking like they’re begging for my fingers. And even in that oversized casual outfit, I could still see the shape beneath.
And in that instant, I was scared out of my shits.
I shouldn’t be attracted to her. I already rejected her. So why, after five fucking years, do I still give a damn?
I even nearly fought that idiot, Alpha Flame’s son, because of her.
I let out a low grunt and rake my fingers through my hair before throwing another gulp down my throat.
What the hell is wrong with me?
Lyra’s just another regular girl.
I CAN stop looking at her. I CAN stop thinking about her.
And I sure as hell CAN stop myself from falling for her again.
“Hey youuuu!”
A voice slices through my thoughts just before arms wrap tight around me from behind. I don’t need to turn to confirm who it is. Only one person hugs like she’s trying to fuse her soul into you; my little sister, Athena.
“I’ve missed you so much,” she pouts, circling around to stand beside me.
“Have you?” I study her closely. She looks nothing like the girl who left our pack two years ago. Her once-blonde hair is now dyed jet black with streaks of purple, the colors bold against her pale skin. Fresh piercings glint on the side of her lip, her eyebrow, and her nose. She’s dressed in full black, grunge makeup framing her dark eyes.
And to top it all, she owns this bar. Interesting.
“Between you and me, you look more like the rogue,” I say with a short, amused breath, taking in the transformation. But then again, Athena was never as innocent as she pretended to be.
She only held herself together because Father expected her to. I always knew it was only a matter of time before she snapped free.
“Whatever,” she pouts harder, reaching for my hand. “You literally abandoned me. No calls, no check-ins, nothing. For two fucking years, Reid.”
“Or maybe,” I murmur with a tired sigh, “you’re the one who abandoned your family. You never came back after you left.”
“I know, right?” She exhales and drops onto the stool next to me. She props her chin on her palm and stares at me, eyes lighting up in intrigue. “But what matters is that we’re together now, isn’t it?”
I only scoff and return my attention to the drink in my hand.
“So, tell me…” Her voice perks up again. “You’re staying at Lord Magnus’ mansion, and you’ve been transferred to Northlands Crest University? Are the rumors actually true?”
I nod once. I hate even thinking about it.
“Hm.” Athena tilts her head. “But isn’t he the father of that girl you rejected years ago? How do you plan to cope, now that you’ll both be under the same roof?”
My jaw tightens, muscles clenching at the mention of Lyra. The moment in her room flashes back; her failed revenge spell that only ended up reinforcing our soul-bound link. She said the only way to reverse it is if the hatred between us is stronger than the spell holding us together.
For her, that might be easy. She’s hated me since the day I rejected her in front of everyone. She doesn’t know the truth.
She doesn't know that I didn’t reject her because she was weak or wolfless, but because I was protecting her. From me.
So yeah, hating me shouldn’t be a problem for her. But for me… I don’t think I could hate her even if I tried. I can fake detachment, pretend to feel nothing, but how do you hate someone your heart still pauses for?
When I don’t answer her question, Athena thankfully moves on. Unfortunately, the new topic isn’t any better.
“Have you heard from Father since you got here?”
My whole body tenses. My grip around the glass tightens.
Athena notices, and lets out a low sigh. “Did you at least try to make him understand why things turned out the way they did?”
“And why should I?” I snap, finally looking at her. My patience is hanging by a thread. I can’t fucking believe we’re doing this.
Her lips press into a thin line. “Because you and I both know you didn’t intentionally try to kill Father's new luna. And you and I both know that Mother—
“Don’t,” I warn, dread crashing through me the moment she mentions Mother. My heart slams wildly against my chest. I already relive that night every time I close my eyes. I don’t need it dragged into the daylight.
But Athena, stubborn as she’s always been, pushes on. The smile vanishes from her face, replaced by a hard, determined stare. “You didn’t kill Mother intentionally that night—”
“You’re wrong.” I hiss. My teeth grit and my eyes darken. I lean in, close enough for only her to hear. Her confidence flickers, her breath hitching. I can scent her fear.
Good. She should be afraid. Everyone should.
Lyra too.
I’m a danger they can’t afford to keep close. I’ve proved it countless times with the unforgivable things I’ve done.
“I was fully aware,” I whisper, each word stabbing my chest like a knife. “When I slashed my claws and cut her throat, I knew exactly what I was doing.